Little Women

I read and re-read my copy of The Little Women so many times as a girl, the cover fell off. The book is a lovely treasure trove of family relationships, growing up, romance, and learning how to celebrate even during the pain that sometimes happens in life. Alcott has an unassuming story-teller style of writing that immediately ushers the reader into the heart of the characters and makes you feel part of the family. I can't recommend it enough.

“Christmas won’t be Christmas without any presents.”

Everyone is no doubt familiar this opening line. It comes from Little Women, the beloved classic of the four young March girls. Meet sixteen-year-old Meg, the plump and matronly oldest sister; Jo, the awkward and rambunctious tomboy; Amy, the spoiled and artistic blond; and Beth, the quiet and reserved youngest sister. With their father away at war, the girls grow up under the watchful eye of Marmee.

Of course, the March family is not perfect, which is why we love them. Meg succumbs to vanity a party when she borrows a dress that is far too stiff with a train that is far too long. She also fears during dances that her earrings will fall off. Jo refuses to forgive her sister Amy for an act of vengeance, until a skating disaster reunites them. Amy receives the strap at school for ignoring a rule about candy. And Beth loses a beloved bird during a disastrous week when the girls experiment with idleness. Even the one who most often instills moral guidance, Mrs. March, admits that it’s taken her over forty years to only partially cure her anger.

While the entire family is creative, Jo is the writer amongst them. This is my main reason for liking her best. We’re both always reading. Jo likes to receive books as presents, is most attracted to homes where the owners have libraries, and typically cites examples from literature to prove her points. We’re also both always writing. Jo writes plays and contributes news to the family newsletter. She loves sharing stories about what happens in her life. I also most identify with her habit of getting herself into scrapes.

Despite the absence of their father, the family is close knit. The Marches sing together. They help the needy, even to the point of giving up their Christmas breakfast to help a starving family. Not being rich themselves, they produce their own plays and a family newspaper for entertainment. Under the moral direction of their mother, they also learn many life lessons. I embraced many of the principles myself such as refusing to let the sun go down on my anger. Little Women continues to be one of my favorite girl books.

Reader reviewed by Sarima89

Reader reviewed by Stephanie

The four March sisterswarm and fashionable Meg, literary and tomboyish Jo, frail and angelic Beth, and lovely but vain Amylive in Civil War New England. With their father off to war, they grow and learn to be better women under the ever-patient guide of their mothers hand. Lessons in humility, romance, friendship, loss, and joy occur to the March sisters in a variety of scenarios which have been pleasingly narrated for us by the character-writer Alcott. Never dull, and full of important morals and fun, it is no wonder that LITTLE WOMEN remains a beloved classic over a century after it was first published.

Reader reviewed by joanne

I don't know about you, but I thought Little Women was fantastic. I'v read it a million times...and yes, my opinion has changed. When I first read it, I still thought it was great, but I didn't understand parts of it, and was a bit dissapointed with the ending. When I read it a second and third time, though, I got to apprieciate the whole meaning of the story. Personally, I thought it was a touching story of a loving family...I loved the characters, the closeness of the friends and families; a beautiful, timeless classic.

Reader reviewed by Jessica M.

Little Women is considered one of the greatest American classics of all time. I thought so too, because it tells the life stories of four sisters growing up in 19th century America. It is kind of like The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants in a way, because in the 2nd part of the novel, each chapter tells about one of the girls. I liked reading about the four March sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth (wish she didn't die), and Amy. I read this book when I was 9, but didn't know its true meaning until I read it again. This book is one of the greatest girl books of all time!

Reader reviewed by Veronika

It is a great story, a wonderful message to hope and faith.
Four sisters trying to make their life and their mother's life easier, while their father is gone to the war.

People say classics are boring, not this one.
Read it, you won't be disappointed.

Veronika

Reader reviewed by lookwaticando08

I really like this book. Its not old fashion like I thought it would be. It started out really entertaining, and I couldn't put it down. The first part of the book is a lot better than the second part in my opinion. You can really relate to the characters.